LETTER: Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore Precinct demands a whole-of-site approach

DEAR News Of The Area,

I RECEIVED an email on 2 October 2026 advising that there has been a finalisation of the rezoning proposal of Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore.

The email also states “PDNSW will continue to lead the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore Precinct revitalisation”.

I believe that no revitalisation can be a success until practical completion is achieved.

Before any further progress is made on the physical redevelopment of the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore, I ask: can

planning be undertaken on a whole-of-site approach (including the Jetty restaurant strip) and a costing timeline be formulated so that there is a clear objective as to total project completion?

In this regard, concepts, costs and funding models need to be prepared, including the likely timeline to achieve said outcomes, including the following:

Jetty structure – renewal and ongoing maintenance; sand in the Harbour – removal of excess sand and maintenance thereafter; provision of services to the area; and the level crossing entrance into the Jetty foreshore precinct.

With regard to the entrance into the Jetty foreshore precinct, it appears likely that there will be no third access point, and that the second access over Camperdown Street is unlikely to be expanded due to the high school’s location, and there will be increased traffic through the existing level crossing due to the planned development.

I note Council has forward plans to renew the Harbour Drive/Marina Drive/Orlando Street precinct at the entrance to the Jetty Foreshores.

The plan focuses on a stated $30M revitalisation – where might the funds come from to achieve that figure, and when might it be realised?

Public Open spaces – I note there is a Voluntary Planning Agreement in place. How much is such an agreement likely to generate, and over what time period will it take to achieve the upgrade?

Jetty Restaurant Strip – this currently has a number of owners. The site is in need of renewal and this should be included in any planning process.

Residences (250) to be built – proposed to be built on the existing Jetty restaurant strip site.

Can the planning process look at:

1. Building a new restaurant strip (or the like ) in the Jetty Foreshores precinct (where the 250 residences are proposed);
2. Resuming the Jetty restaurant strip, providing present owners first option to buy in the new location;

iii.  Provide the opportunity to realign, widen as necessary the road network over the Jetty level crossing (see  above);

1. Build the 250 residences where the present Jetty restaurant strip is; and achieve
2. Overall win – renewed Jetty restaurant strip and 250 residential houses in the Jetty precinct.

Tourist Accommodation (250) – Some can be built on top of the new restaurant strip, which may lessen the need to go to six-storey builds.

Car parking in Jetty Foreshores – planning should provide for adequate parking in the precinct.                                                     Due to the nature of the site, underground parking won’t happen, so there will be multi-level car parks, or large land masses set aside for parking.

Parking for the 250 residences can be dealt with as part of the suggested new build location on the existing Jetty restaurant strip. Please avoid stating that there is adequate parking until you have spaces to deal with regular (and weekly) high usage of the site.

Funding of the project  – this will need all levels of government input, recognising the National, State and Local significance of the location. Local government would need to look at a Special Rate to meet its required contribution.

Regards,

Ian Hogbin,

Coffs Harbour.